HB 455 Summary

• Defines "reproductive health services" to include abortion, termination of pregnancy, emergency contraception, and related medical services, and prohibits health care providers and regulatory boards from disciplining physicians, physician assistants, and nurses for lawfully providing these services even if illegal in other states.

• Authorizes physician assistants (with collaborative agreements) and certified nurse midwives/nurse practitioners (with Board of Nursing approval) to terminate pregnancies before viability, expanding access beyond physicians alone.

• Protects patient privacy by prohibiting health care providers from disclosing reproductive health records in civil proceedings without written consent, with limited exceptions for medical negligence claims, licensing board investigations, and abuse investigations.

• Prevents enforcement of out-of-state civil judgments and criminal prosecutions against Delaware residents for providing reproductive health services that are legal in Delaware, and allows those subject to out-of-state judgments to recover damages and attorney's fees.

• Prohibits insurance companies from increasing premiums or taking adverse actions against health care professionals or organizations for providing reproductive health services lawful in Delaware, including telehealth prescriptions for pregnancy termination medication to out-of-state patients.